On Saturday, March 1st, fourteen Southeast Valley students competed at the district level of Individual Speech. At the end of the day, students had earned 16 division I ratings (outstanding) and 1 division II rating (good). Division I ratings qualify students to compete at the state contest.

Three seniors participated in this year’s contest. Steven Fisher, Jr., received a I rating for his breathtaking solo musical theater performance titled, “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables.” Grant Farnham participated in the category of literary program which combines poetry and prose; he also earned a division I rating for “The Life of a Farmer.” Aiden Anderson traveled to Janesville to compete due to a conflict with an FFA event. He received a division I rating for his prose piece titled, “The Real Story of the Three Little Pigs.”

Juniors Malia Urban, Blessing Cunigan, Taylor Willardson, and Leo Loeffler brought home division I ratings in their respective categories. Malia Urban brought her humor and personality to the categories of storytelling (“My Lucky Day”) and Acting (“The Cashier in Lane 8”). Blessing Cunigan performed a heart wrenching poetry selection titled “Making Sarah Cry.” Taylor Willardson impressed her judges in the categories of solo musical theater (“My Grand Plan”) and interpretation of prose (“Tops and Bottoms”). Leo Loeffler performed an energetic rendition of “Hatful of Dreams.” 

Five sophomores and one freshman were part of this year’s competition as well. Returning participants Owen Nuss, Aurora Dencklau, and Hallie Crampton capitalized on their experience and earned division I ratings. Owen Nuss was the sole participant in individual improvisation, and earned a I with the characters zombie and last person on earth and the category of a family reunion. Aurora Dencklau expressed the importance of literature and human connection in her review of Fahrenheit 451 and then switched gears for a humorous poetry interpretation titled “The Delicious Parts of Life.” Hallie Crampton entertained with her expository address titled “Block Blast” and her review of the television series “The Derry Girls.” New to individual speech this year were Zephyr Lane in the category of acting and Paizley Jondle in the category of storytelling. Zephyr performed an original monologue titled “Survivor” and earned a division I rating. Paizley also received a I rating with the adorable story of “Mother Bruce.” Also new to individual speech this year was Allie Kaufman, a freshman competing in original oratory. Allie received a division II rating for her piece, “Power Problem.”

Individual Event speech is coached by Tamara Hanson. The state contest will be Saturday, March 15th, at Woodbury Central high school in Moville.